More photos » Mark Avery - AP

11 months ago: Anaheim Ducks right wing Teemu Selanne, left, of Finland, puts a shot over Dallas Stars goalie Marty Turco to win the game during the shootout in an NHL hockey game in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, April 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Mark Avery)

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DANIEL:

This is Anaheim Calling to the hockey world.  The Ducks chances of crawling out of the cellar just went form bad to abysmal.  TSN is reporting that Teemu Selanne will be gone for the next 4-6 weeks with a broken bone in his left hand.  Selanne is a key component of the Ducks secondary scoring in 5 on 5 situations along with Saku Koivu. More importantly, Selanne is third in the league with 7 power play goals, and second in game winning goals with 4.  Aside from being a fan favorite, Selanne is very important to the overall performance of the Ducks, and with Joffrey Lupul still sidelined with back spasms there is no indication of who will replace Selanne's goal scoring abilities. 

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DANIEL:  This is Anaheim Calling to the Hockey World, the Ducks hosted the annual Face Off Fest tonight.  It's a great opportunity to come face to face with your favorite players and get an autograph or dish a compliment.  The event is only available to season ticket holders and offers so much more than the chance to get a few autographs.  Fans were allowed to skate on the Ponda Center ice, take a tour of the locker room, and enjoy a complimentary hot dog/chips/soda combo to make the autograph line a little more tolerable.  And if that wasn't enough, they let us watch the Caps sink their teeth into the Sharks on the jumbotron.  

Occasionally, it's nice to come face to face with our favorite players and see them for the mortals they really are.  I am writing this more to admit that I enjoyed a night of being a complete fan boy. I've said before, that when the Ducks traded for Selanne I became a serious hockey fan. It's hard to explain, but he changed the entire culture of the team. It was something Anaheim seemed to be waiting for.  He was a legit star and he probably turned Kariya into a full blown star as well.  Even though I waited an hour and a half, a ridiculous amount of time, it was worth seeing him be impressed with my vintage Duck Jersey.  

Also, i've known Arthur a long time and I don't know if I've seen him as joyous as he was at this event. He was grinning like he had just seen Isla Fisher making out with Salma Hayek. I'm talking the real deal complete with wandering hands.  All this from getting signatures from Randy Carlyle and Brian Hayward.  I think that as fans, and more so as bloggers who analyze every move on the ice, we forget the simple joys of sports.  Writers talk about it, but I think there is a connection fans experience with a team to which they are truly committed.  I think events like this allow us to stop being angry about bad plays, bad trades, and bad contracts, and instead we simply appreciate the players who lace them up for us.  Events like this remind us of why we are fans in the first place, and I'd like to personally thank Teemu Selanne for opening my eyes to what is, in my opinion, the greatest sport I've seen, and all the memories that have come with it.

DANIEL:
This is Anaheim Calling to the Hockey World. I know it's fairly common for other media outlets to forget that we pay hockey here on the west coast, and even more common for sports writers to ignore the efforts of west coast players when it comes time to hand out end of season awards (see Samuel Pahlsson for the Selke in 2007). Not only are the Ducks forgotten at the end of the year, it's hard to find a blogger who will pick a Ducks player in their preseason predictions as well. So, I will give you something never seen before, early predictions for hardware that feature only Ducks players. I will post the Ducks who I think have the best shot to win some of the more well known trophies.

DANIEL:
This is Anaheim Calling to the Hockey world...

According to Curtis Zupke of the OC Register, the Ducks have sent 6 prospects back to Juniors. Because I have become enamored with the list format, I will rank these prospects in order of who I think stood out the most in camp, and I'll predict where they are going.

1) Matt Clark, Brampton/OHL- Arthur went on about this kid, and I can do a little more. He's built like a hockey player, and he's only 19. He sees the game perfectly, and he doesn't make bad decisions. A year in Juniors working on getting more mobile and building a hard and accurate shot, and he'll be NHL ready. I expect him to be a permanent member of the Ducks blue line for years to come.

2) Nicolas Deschamps, Chicoutimi QMJHL- This kid has so many offensive tools. He can operate in tight spaces, and he makes some of the most daring passes. Even more surprising is the amount of those passes that get through. He still seems to have a problem with the speed of the NHL game, especially when it comes to transition-- I just don't think he recognizes how quickly the puck ends up going the other way. Also, the kid can't dump the puck. When he hashes out the mundane parts of his game (dumping, chasing, transition defense), I expect him to be back here full time. Probably filling the void left by Selanne.

3) Peter Holland, Guelph OHL- I can see why scouts in the organization were so high on Holland. This guy plays better than his skill set. After finally watching Holland play in a game, I think he has terrific hockey sense. I'm not even sure he knows he has it. A lot of Holland's problems seem to stem from the fact that he doesn't trust how good he is. Once, he realizes that playing to his full potential is a good thing, he will find a home on an NHL roster. I still think he's about two years away.

4) Stefan Warg, Seattle WHL- Carlyle was impressed with Warg's competitiveness and thought he played well during the exhibition. I agree with Carlyle. I didn't see anything very brilliant about Warg, but Sean O'Donnell wasn't brilliant either. I like this guy's game. It's beautiful in all of its normalcy. Look to see him in the NHL in another 2 years.

5) Josh Brittain, Barrie OHL- Josh actually hurt himself during camp. There were times when I thought he didn't know how to play like a big guy, and that's never good. His work along the boards was decent, and I could see him as a solid Bottom 6. There were just times when he didn't look like he knew what he wanted to do.

6) Marco Cousineau, Drummondville QMJHL- I don't know what to say except you're probably the number 5 goalie in the system right now. It was a tough camp for goalies. No one is going to unseat Hiller or Giguere, but Cousineau looked like he had some skill. It was hard to get a good read on him, but nothing about him really impressed me. He might prove to be a valuable back up someday, but he won't pass Pogge or Pielmeier. This guy will get moved. Hope it works out for him.

DANIEL:
I spent my third day in a row at Anaheim Ice. Training camp is turning into a girlfriend I never want to break up with. I know sometimes fans just want to get to the meat of what happened, so today I'm keeping it no nonsense and borrowing from Sleek's bullet point method to give you a list of highlights and thoughts from today's camp.

• Beleskey gets it started on the 2 man break drill. Puts away a decent tip. He's a solid player, but doesn't impress compared to some of the other rookies in camp.
• Deschamps is sticking with the play and putting away the change. Gotta like a kid with skill who will go to the net.
• Artyukhin goes high glove on Hiller. That was a little surprising
• Logan MacMillan slips it 5 hole on Cousineau. I'd be more impressed if Logan could beat a goalie that actually has a shot at being in the NHL this year.
• Dan Sexton just found a way around Hiller. Not even sure how he did it. I'm beginning to understand why Arthur calls him "Big Sexy". I'm convinced that name will stick.
• We've moved on to a drill that focuses on breaking out of the zone, and Beleskey cant make the cross ice outlet pass. That's like going to McDonald's and ordering a whopper, all you're going to get is directions to the door.
• Carlyle has to stop the forechecking drill, because Deschamps cannot dump the puck. It hurts my vision of a Deschamps-Koivu-Selanne line that never back checks but dominates on the power play. Not being able to dump and chase in this system...might as well be a Democrat at an NRA meeting.
• Watching Macenauer chase the puck into the zone has me convinced this kid wants to make the team. He's a little too excited at times, and it affects his decision making, can't accuse him of not putting it all out there though.
• Lupul and Ryan are running the 2-1 together. They have a strange affinity for each other...wonder if that'll work out.
• Big Sexy is still working it. This kid is fearless and he's beating guys to loose pucks, and skating around defenders. He's like a more skilled Mike Brown.
• We've moved on to skating races and who would have thought Festerling was so fast. Sadly it won't keep him around. Artie is beating guys too, don't know how he moves that giant frame so fast.
• Eminger has been struggling through this drill. This guy cannot stay on his skates. When I first saw him, I really liked his game. He doesn't take the body as much as I'd like, but his positioning is awesome. He has a way of giving a forward just enough rope so that the guy can hang himself. But today, Cullimore looks like a better choice.
• Scrimmaging now, and Big Sexy is steaming through open ice. Every shift this kid moves higher up in my esteem. I don't know if there's a line where he can legitimately fit in, but there will be soon.
• Arthur mentioned Matt Clark to me the first day of rookie camp. He's a defensive prospect who probably won't be up this year, but what the kid lacks in skill he more than makes up for in vision. He sees plays so clearly, and he seems to always make the right decision. Can't wait to see what he's like in another year.
• Sbisa's skill set is undeniable, but he reminds me of Ozolinsh. He seems to always be looking for an offensive opportunity. I don't think Carlyle will be fond of that.
• Lupul puts away a rebound. I don't dislike him. I just think 4 million is too much for a guy who really can't create his own shot.
• McCarthy probably doesn't make the team. Homeboy just chased down a guy that Scotty clearly had covered, and almost turned a 2 on 2 into a breakaway.
• Macenauer just worked some magic along the boards. I really can't get enough of him or Sexton. Those kids just play a great game.
• Brittain and Koivu just muscled a puck in. Brittain is one of those guys who could find a home in the bottom 6. He's got size, grit, and skill.
• Just saw Big Sexy in the trenches. I think he sold his soul for a roster spot.
• When Sbisa is pressured coming out of the zone he makes me think of an abacus. He'll probably make the right decision, but it'll take him a while to get there.
• Sharp scores on a lucky bounce. Good things happen when you get the puck to the net. Hope Sharp thanks Hayzie when he makes it to the NHL for a cup of coffee this year.
• Mikkelson has scored on 2 penalty shots, and this defense thing is starting to look like a real mess. I don't know if it's as sexy as the Hiller v Giguere controversy, which Jiggy is clearly not winning right now, but it's definitely going to be a problem trying to figure out what to do with 11 guys who can play in the NHL.
• Big Sexy is at it again, chasing down a puck, working along the boards and sending a great dish that Holland completely botched.

Overall, it was a great day. I think the biggest problem for the coaching staff right now might be that they have too much to work with. The battles are getting interesting, and after these first 4 preseason games there should be a better view on what the coaching staff is thinking.

DANIEL:
Well, if you didn't know, this is my first solo post. I spent the morning watching drills and an inter-squad scrimmage. I'm happy to announce that some of the rookies are starting to round into shape and some of the veterans look like they could open the season tomorrow night. Anaheim Ice wasn't as packed as it was Sunday, but there were still a few hundred people in the stands for the scrimmage, and the Ducks didn't disappoint. The players looked excited, and that made me excited. No matter what happens this year, I think Ducks hockey will be some of the most entertaining out there.

Since it's just me, I'm going to do a quick recap of players who made great plays and guys who need to step it up in order to be ready for the season, or even stick around.

Rookies Rising:
This list includes Deschamps, Sharp, Brittain, and Macenauer. Deschamps' passing wasn't as crisp today as it was yesterday, but he's very creative and working hard. I even saw him drive to the net a couple of times like a power forward. Macenauer is still working that shot, but he's also flying at the net and burying feeds from the likes of Getzlaf and Perry-- I'm just saying.

Sharp and Brittain were dominating in the corners. They were playing like big men and Sharp was showing flashes of skill that I think should get him consideration as a Bottom 6 forward coming out of camp. Brittain was skating with Selanne a lot, and the kid may not have the best hands I've seen, but he takes the body and cycles well. He looks a little like a poor man's Dustin Penner right now, but the Ducks need a player like that.

Taking It Back To The Old Skool:
Getzlaf is still avoiding full contact drills, but the members of the RPG line seem to have their game intact, as does the captain. No surprise there. But two proven NHLers who stood out today were Koivu and Wisniewski. Wisniewski was a defensive wall. No one seemed to be able to get anything past him. His stick work was phenomenal, and he was separating guys from the puck all practice.

Koivu looks like a kid on his first pair of new skates. He's putting on stick handling clinics and creating so many scoring chances. Not to mention he's fighting for ice. He was taken down during the scrimmage and was still making plays from his knees. I can't wait to see this guy in midseason form.

Packing Their Bags:
Holland wasn't meant to be an NHL guy this year, but he still disappoints with his inability to play power forward offense. I don't see the grit he'll need to play in the Western Conference.

Things are getting worse for Mitera. Everytime I noticed him today, it seemed to be for something bad. He was still showing that strong skill set, but it was like watching a clock with some missing cogs-- it just wasn't working.

Vacationing Veterans:
Ryan Carter could not get it going today. Every decision on the ice seemed to be wrong. He spent most of his time mishandling the puck in the defensive zone, and there was no offensive upside to his game today.

Jiggy made some really good stops, but the goals he did give up were the kind that go through a goalie. He was mostly solid, but a couple of bad goals today have me worried about whether or not there really will be a goaltending battle in camp, or if we're going to have the most expensive backup in the league.

Overall, great day at camp and I can't wait to go back tomorrow.